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nickadams
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Homework Statement
Apply the formula for the distance between two points to prove the well-known theorem: In a parallelogram the sum of the squares of the sides is equal to the sum of the squares of the diagonals.
Homework Equations
It gave a hint saying to put one of the parallelogram's vertices at the origin. Also, it hinted to keep in mind that x-values can only be positive in the 1st and 4th quadrants. It says "upon realizing that, the proof of the theorem reduces to checking a simple algebraic identity. Which?"
Distance formula is √((x1-x2)^2+(y1-y2)^2)
The Attempt at a Solution
Okay what I know about a parallelogram is that its opposite sides are parallel and its opposite angles are equal. What do they mean by "reduces to checking a simple algebraic identity"?
I am lost